Q. Why did the Khilafat movement lose momentum despite being supported by both Hindus and Muslims and adopted by the Congress through Gandhiji?
(a) Muslim League’s opposition to the Indian National Congress
(b) Special concessions given to Muslims by the British government
(c) Office of Khalifa was abolished in Turkey itself and better terms given to Turkey
(d) Internal friction between the Congress and the Muslim League.
Ans: (c) Office of Khalifa was abolished in Turkey itself and better terms given to Turkey
Explanation: The correct answer is (c) Office of Khalifa was abolished in Turkey itself and better terms given to Turkey.
The Khilafat movement, which aimed to protest against the treatment of the Ottoman Caliphate by the British and preserve the office of the Khalifa, faced several challenges that led to its loss of momentum. One of the significant factors was the abolition of the office of Khalifa in Turkey itself.
In 1924, the Turkish Republic, under the leadership of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, abolished the institution of the Khalifa as part of its modernization and secularization efforts. This development undermined the central focus of the Khilafat movement, as the objective of preserving the Khalifa’s office was no longer relevant.
Furthermore, the British government, seeking to improve relations with Turkey, also provided better terms and concessions to Turkey following the end of World War I. These concessions reduced the urgency and relevance of the Khilafat movement’s demands.
While the movement initially enjoyed support from both Hindus and Muslims, internal friction between the Indian National Congress and the Muslim League did play a role in later dampening its momentum. The differences and growing political divisions between the two major political organizations in India impacted the unity and coordination within the movement.
Therefore, the correct answer is (c) Office of Khalifa was abolished in Turkey itself and better terms given to Turkey.
